Pentagon puts 8,500 troops on ‘high alert’ over Russia-Ukraine tensions

News Times Link: The U.S. is discussing deploying U.S. troops in Eastern Europe with NATO allies as U.S. President Joe Biden is exploring ways to counter Russia’s threat to Ukraine, a senior administration official said Monday.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said at a briefing on Monday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had deployed 8,500 troops “on high alert” to protect NATO allies. According to him, no deployment order have been given.
The West is stepping up its response amid growing fears of an imminent invasion after Moscow has mobilized more than 100,000 troops on its neighboring borders and no diplomatic breakthrough has been seen. Negotiations are underway with NATO countries that could have US troops stationed there as part of a plan to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression, officials said.
On Monday, NATO said it was sending ships and fighters to Eastern Europe, and Washington “made it clear that it was considering a presence in the eastern part of the alliance.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden held a 90-minute videoconference with European leaders on Monday afternoon to discuss Russia’s military build-up near the Ukrainian border, the White House said. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Polish President Andrzej Duda, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi were in attendance.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin briefed President Biden on Saturday on how the United States might respond to a Russian invasion of Ukraine and how to move U.S. troops before the invasion, according to a Pentagon official and senior administration official.
Among the options offered by the U.S. forces prior to the invasion were bomber flights to the region, visits by ships to the Black Sea, and movement of troops and some equipment from other parts of Europe to Poland, Romania and other neighboring Ukraine.
Austin has offered options to reassure NATO allies and strengthen defenses, particularly those bordering Ukraine, officials said. Officials say the goal is to show unity and strength within NATO and deter Russian aggression against allies in the region.

Biden was at the president’s residence at Camp David, Maryland, and Austin briefed him via secure videoconference. Marc Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was also present by phone. Typically, the secretary reports to the president, who provides details about the work.

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